Spiced Cranberry Old Fashioned
2 oz. bourbon
1-1/2 oz. spiced cranberry simple syrup
2 drops Angostura Bitters
Shake on ice. Strain into a rocks glass. Add a big cube.
Pour 1/2 oz. of Club Soda over the cube.
Garnish with orange peel, cinnamon stick, and cranberries.
How to make the Spiced Cranberry Simple Syrup
Begin by making a spiced cranberry tea at least 24 hours before you want to serve the cocktail.
2 cups fresh cranberries
1-1/2 cups water
2 star anise pods
2 cinnamon sticks
1 tsp whole allspice
1 tsp whole cloves
Bring to a boil, simmer for 20 minutes. All the cranberries should pop open and turn to mush. Allow to cool and infuse for 24 hours. This will turn the tea mixture into a jelly. Warm in microwave just enough to make it runny again and pour into a cheesecloth bag. Squeeze out every last drop of "tea".
Measure the amount of tea that you have made.
Combine equal parts of the tea and granulated sugar in a saucepan.
Heat just until all the sugar is dissolved. Chill.